THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very
much. Today, we take permanent and aggressive steps to
improve the security of our airways. The events of September
the 11th were a call to action. And the Congress has now
responded.

The law I will sign should give all Americans greater confidence
when they fly. All members of Congress care deeply about
this issue. Despite divergent views, the Congress worked
closely with my administration to develop a bipartisan conclusion that
will help protect American air travelers.

I want to thank the House and Senate leadership for their patience
in this issue. I want to thank the Speaker and the Minority
Leader; the Leader of the Senate, Senator Lott; for working hard to
make sure this bill came to fruition.

I also want to thank Chairman Don Young and John Mica and Jim
Oberstar who have joined us today from the House. I want to
thank you for your hard work. And I want to thank members of
the United States Senate: Chairman Hollings and John McCain
and Kay Bailey Hutchison for their hard work.

I appreciate so very much the Secretary of Transportation and his
steadiness and his ability to bring confidence to the
process. I picked a good man in Norm Mineta, who is rising
to the occasion.

I also want to thank his deputy, Michael Jackson, for his hard
work. As well, I appreciate Jane Garvey joining us up here
today. I see other members of Congress who are
here. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate you
doing the right thing for America.

I also want to thank the pilots and flight attendants and the
people of the airline industry who have joined us today. I
want to thank you for your courage in the face of terror. I
want to thank you for inspiring confidence amongst the American
people.

The broad support for this bill shows that our country is united in
this crisis. We have our political differences, but we're
united to defend our country. And we're united to protect
our people. For our airways, there is one supreme
priority: Security.

Since September the 11th, the federal government has taken action
to raise safety standards. We've made funds available to the
aviation industry to fortify cockpits. More federal air
marshals now ride on our airplanes. The Department of
Transportation instituted a zero-tolerance crackdown on security
breaches.

Our National Guard protects us in our airports. And I
want to thank the National Guard's men and women who will be working
the holiday season. I want to thank them for being away from their
families, thank them for providing more security for people who
travel.

I appreciate the work the airlines have done with the Federal
Aviation Administration. The airlines have started intense
nighttime security sweeps of aircraft. They've tightened
background checks for employees and implemented non-discriminatory
government-approved criterion for identifying passengers who require
additional security.

Now, we take the next important step. For the first
time, airport security will become a direct federal
responsibility. Overseen by a new Under Secretary of
Transportation for Security. Additional funds will be
provided for federal air marshals. And a new team of federal
security managers, supervisors, law enforcement officers and screeners
will ensure all passengers and carry-on bags are inspected thoroughly
and effectively. The new security force will be well-trained, made up
of U.S. citizens. And if any of its members do not perform,
the new Under Secretary will have full authority to discipline or
remove them.

At the same time, we will adopt strict new requirements to screen
checked baggage, to tighten security in all other areas of airports,
and to provide greater security for travelers by bus and by
train. This bill sets a one-year deadline for the transition
to the new system. It gives my administration the
flexibility we need to make that transition work.

Ultimately, this bill offers local authorities the option to bring
in outside experts, a method that's worked well in Israel and Western
Europe, provided those outside experts can meet our rigorous new safety
standards and requirements.

Security comes first. The federal government will set
high standards, and we will enforce them. These have been
difficult days for Americans who fly and for American
aviation. A proud industry has been hit hard. But
this nation has seen the dedication and spirit of our pilots and flight
crews, and the hundreds of thousands of hard-working people who keep
America flying. We know they will endure. I'm
confident this industry will grow and prosper.

The holidays will soon be here. Even after the last few
months, we have much to be thankful for. We have a great
country. We're a great people. We have our faith,
our families, and our friends. And, thanks to this bill, we
have a new commitment to security in the air. And that's
good news, as Americans travel to celebrate this season with their
loved ones.

It is now my honor to sign this important piece of legislation.
(Applause.) (The bill is signed.) (Applause.)